Multi-layer coaster and beverage container sleeve

ABSTRACT

A multi-layer absorptive coaster includes a bottom layer comprising a waterproof, resilient, slip-resistant material, such as neoprene. Intermediate and top layers comprise fabric with a blend of polyester and cotton. A multi-layer insulative beverage container includes a base having a bottom layer comprising a waterproof material, such as neoprene, and a jacket having a middle layer comprising a waterproof material such as neoprene. The jacket inner and outer layers comprise a fabric with a blend of cotton and polyester. Printing can be applied to the top layer of the base, and the inner and outer layer of the jacket. The material layers are bonded together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority in,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/743,294, filed May 2, 2007, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to coasters, and in particularto a multi-layer coaster comprising one or more materials withliquid-absorptive properties.

2. Description of the Related Art

Drinking vessels, such as bottles, cans, glasses, cups and the like areavailable in a wide range of sizes, shapes and materials. However, inuninsulated vessels, chilled beverages and other contents typicallycause condensation from exposure to the ambient atmosphere. Among thefactors affecting surface condensation are the ambient humidity leveland the temperature of the liquid contents. Generally speaking, higherambient humidity levels and colder liquid content temperatures tend toincrease condensation volume.

Drink coasters are commonly used for absorbing condensation andprotecting furniture on which they are placed. Coasters have previouslybeen made of various materials, including cellulose compositions (e.g.,paper and fibreboard), plastic, cork, wood and leather. In addition toabsorbing moisture, coasters are commonly imprinted with various graphicindicia, including text, designs, logos and commercial material.Commercial printing processes are in common use for mass producing suchprinted materials.

Another functional criteria for drink coasters relates to resistingsliding on hard surfaces, such as countertops, tabletops, etc. Spillageand other mishaps can thus be minimized. Still further, coasters canprovide impact-absorbing protection for furniture pieces on which theyare placed.

Heretofore there has not been available a multi-layered absorptivecoaster with the advantages and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the practice of the present invention, a multi-layer coaster isprovided for absorbing moisture and placing a vessel on a hard surfacein an anti-slip, protective relationship. The coaster comprises a bottomlayer of a waterproof, anti-slip material, such as neoprene, and atleast one upper layer of fabric, such as a polyester and cotton blendall bonded together. An alternative embodiment coaster includes a middlelayer of waterproof material, such as neoprene, disposed between, andbonded to, an inner and outer layer of fabric, such as a polyester andcotton blend. An additional alternative embodiment coaster includes amulti-layer sleeve attached to the aforementioned multi-layer coasterfor absorbing moisture and providing insulative properties for a vessel.The sleeve comprises a middle layer of waterproof material, such asneoprene, disposed between, and bonded to, a layer of cotton andpolyester blend fabric. Printing can be applied to the top layer of thebase, and the inner and outer layers of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a coaster embodying an aspectof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentcoaster.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentcoaster.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of an alternative embodiment coasterand sleeve.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view thereof, takinggenerally along line 6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of an alternativesecuring arrangement for the coaster and sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction andEnvironment

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up,down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented inthe view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” referto directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric centerof the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Saidterminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivativesthereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Coaster 2

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 2generally designates a coaster embodying an aspect of the presentinvention. Without limitation on the generality of useful constructions,the coaster 2 is shown with a neoprene bottom layer 4, an intermediatecotton and polyester blend layer 6 and a top layer 8, also comprising ablend of cotton and polyester. The specific ratio of cotton andpolyester in the intermediate and top layers 6, 8 is preferably chosenfor its suitability for the particular applications of the coaster 2.For example, a 50%-50% blend is generally suitable for providingmoisture absorption and entrapment, in addition to providing a printablesurface material adapted for various printing processes, such as screenprinting. Various subject matter 10 can be printed on the top layer 8,including digital images provided by individual customers for customizedsets of coasters and logos for commercial establishments.

The bottom layer 4 is preferably waterproof in order to avoid saturationand to minimize the possibility of water damage to the underlyingstructure from liquids soaking through the bottom layer 4. The bottomlayer 4 is also preferably resilient and impact resistant, with acertain thickness (e.g. in the range of about ⅛″ to ⅜″) in order toprotect the underlying surface. Still further, the bottom layer 4preferably as a relatively high coefficient of friction in order toavoid sliding on hard, smooth surfaces, such as tabletops andcountertops. In addition to the functional features described above, thecoaster 2 is preferably capable of being washed in an automaticdishwasher for reuse indefinitely.

It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in variousforms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above andshown in the drawings. Other materials and components can be utilized.For example, it will be appreciated that a wide range of compatiblematerials may be utilized. Moreover, they can be bonded together usingvarious suitable techniques, such as adhesives, pressure bonding,stitching, mechanical fasteners and the like. Still further, the coaster2 can be formed in various configurations, such as basic geometricalshapes and fanciful configurations.

III. Alternative Embodiment Coaster 102

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment coaster 102 embodying an aspectof the present invention. Without limitation on the generality of usefulconstructions of the coaster 102, the embodiment is shown with aneoprene bottom layer 104, and at least one cotton and polyester blendtop layer 106. The material in the top layer 106 is composed of a ratioof cotton and polyester blend chosen for the ability to provide moistureabsorption and entrapment, durability of wear, and adaptability forvarious printing processes, such as screen printing or garment printing.For example, a 70% cotton, 30% polyester blend generally provides asuitable moisture absorption and durability profile for use withbeverage containers.

The bottom layer 104 consists of neoprene with a thickness in the rangeof about ⅛″ to ⅜″. The material comprising the bottom layer 104 ispreferably: durable and impact resistant to provide cushioning for avessel disposed thereon, and to protect the object in contact with thebottom surface 110; waterproof to avoid transmission of moisture fromthe top layer 106 to the object in contact with the bottom surface 110;and has a high coefficient of friction to limit sliding of the coaster103 on smooth surfaces. The bottom layer 104 and top layer 106 aresecured together using various suitable techniques, such as adhesives,pressure bonding, stitching, etc. The coaster 103 is formed by acircular die-cut process.

IV. Alternative Embodiment Coaster 120

FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodiment coaster 120 consisting of aninner layer 124, a middle layer 122, and outer layer 126. The middlelayer 122 consists of a waterproof material, preferably neoprene, with athickness in the range of about ⅛″ to ⅜″, to avoid migration of moisturebetween the inner and outer layers 124, 126. The inner and outer layers124, 126 consist of a moisture absorbing and wear resistant material,such as 70% cotton, and 30% polyester that is adapted for variousprinting processes, such as screen printing or garment printing. Themiddle layer 122 is secured to the inner layer 124 and outer layer 126by a suitable technique such as adhesives, pressure bonding, etc. Thecoaster 120 is formed by a die-cut process.

V. Alternative Embodiment Insulative Beverage Container 202

FIGS. 5-6 show an alternative embodiment insulative beverage container202 consisting of a base 204 and a sleeve 220 attached thereto. The base204 is similar in composition to the coaster 102 described above in thatthe base 204 is shown with a neoprene bottom layer 206, and at least onecotton and polyester blend top layer 208. The material in the top layer208 is composed of a ratio of cotton and polyester blend chosen for theability to provide moisture absorption and entrapment, and durability ofwear. For example, a 70% cotton, 30% polyester blend generally providesa suitable moisture absorption and durability profile for use withbeverage containers. The bottom layer 206 consists of neoprene with athickness in the range of about ⅛″ to ⅜″. The material comprising thebottom layer 206 is preferably: durable and impact resistant to providecushioning for the object disposed within the container 202, and toprotect the object in contact with the bottom surface 210; waterproof toavoid transmission of moisture from the top layer 208 to the object incontact with the bottom surface 210; and has a high coefficient offriction to limit sliding of the base 204 on smooth surfaces. The bottomlayer 206 and top layer 208 are secured together using various suitabletechniques, such as adhesives, pressure bonding, stitching, etc.

The sleeve 220 is similar in composition to the coaster 120 describedabove in that the sleeve 220 is shown with a middle layer 222 secured toan inner and outer layer 224, 226 by a suitable technique such asadhesives, pressure bonding, etc. The middle layer 222 consists of awaterproof material, preferably neoprene, to avoid migration of moisturebetween the inner and outer layers 224, 226. The inner and outer layers224, 226 consist of a moisture absorbing and wear resistant material,such as 70% cotton, 30% polyester that is adapted for various printingprocesses, such as screen printing or garment printing. The outer layer226 is represented in FIG. 5 as having an image 238 thereon.

The sleeve 220 is formed by a rectangular die-cut process. Opposite endsof the sleeve 220 are joined and secured at a seam 232 creating acylinder with a top and bottom edge 234, 236. The seam 232 is formed bya suitable technique, such as sewing or adhesive bonding.

Referring to FIG. 6, the container 202 may be formed by securing thebase 204 to the sleeve 220 using a step joint. The diameter of the toplayer 208 of the base 204 is approximately the diameter of the sleeve220 at the inner surface 228 (i.e., the sleeve 220 inside diameter) whenthe sleeve 220 is formed into an open-ended cylinder. The diameter ofthe bottom layer 206 is greater than the diameter of the top layer 208and approximately equal to the outside diameter of the sleeve 220. Thebottom edge 236 of the sleeve 220 is secured to the base 204 by asuitable technique, such as sewing or adhesives, thereby creating anupwardly open-ended container 220 with the inner surface 228 and toplayer 208 orientated toward the interior of the container 202. Referringto FIG. 6A, the container may alternatively be formed by securing thebase 204 to the sleeve 220 without using a step joint described above.Therefore, the diameter of the top layer 208 and bottom layer 206 areapproximately equal to the outside diameter of the sleeve 220. Thebottom edge 230 of the sleeve 220 is secured to the top layer 208 of thebase 204 by a suitable technique, such as sewing or adhesives.

It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the invention havebeen shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto andencompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

1. An insulative beverage container, comprising: a base comprising a toplayer and a bottom layer; said top layer being bonded to said bottomlayer; a tubular sleeve having upper and lower ends and comprising aninner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer; said inner and outerlayers being bonded to said middle layer; and said base being bonded tothe lower end of said sleeve.
 2. The container according to claim 1,which includes: said base top layer comprising approximately 30%polyester and approximately 70% cotton fabric.
 3. The containeraccording to claim 1, which includes: said base bottom layer comprisingneoprene.
 4. The container according to claim 1, which includes: saidsleeve inner and outer layers comprising approximately 30% polyester andapproximately 70% cotton fabric.
 5. The container according to claim 4,which includes: said sleeve middle layer comprising neoprene.
 6. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein: the diameter of said top layeris complementary to said inner layer;
 7. the diameter of said bottomlayer is complementary to said outer layer.
 8. The container accordingto claim 1, wherein: the diameter of said top layer and said bottomlayer are complementary to said outer layer.
 9. An insulative beveragecontainer, which comprises: a circular base comprising a top layerbonded to a bottom layer; said base top layer comprising approximately0% polyester and approximately 70% cotton; said base bottom layercomprising neoprene; a tubular sleeve comprising an inner layer, amiddle layer and an outer layer; said sleeve inner and outer layersbeing bonded to said sleeve middle layer; said sleeve inner and outerlayers comprising approximately 50% polyester and approximately 50%cotton; said sleeve middle layer comprising neoprene; said sleeve havingupper and lower ends; said sleeve having an outside diameterapproximately equal to said base bottom layer outside diameter and saidtop layer outside diameter; and said base top layer being bonded to saidsleeve lower end.